News
News is Retail Sector’s central hub for breaking stories, market developments and company updates from across the UK retail industry. This category delivers authoritative, timely coverage on everything from trading performance and executive changes to store openings, brand activity and supply chain developments.
Retail Sector’s news coverage focuses on the business realities behind the headlines — providing retail professionals with context on how each development impacts operations, strategy and market confidence. Readers can expect clear, accurate reporting designed to keep decision-makers informed and competitive in a fast-moving retail landscape.
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May- 2025 -19 May
Poundland store closures ‘likely’ as sale nears completion
Poundland store closures are reportedly “likely” as Gordon Brothers, the former owner of Laura Ashley, has emerged as a frontrunner to take control of the group, according to The Times. Bids for the group, which is owned by Pepco and employs more than 16,000 people across the UK and Ireland,…
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19 May
M&S boss faces pay package hit amid cyber attack
Marks and Spencer boss Stuart Machin’s pay is reportedly expected to be cut by up to £1.06m after a cyber attack caused the company’s shares to drop by 14%, according to the Financial Times. The hacking incident on 22 April 2025 could cost Machin about £831,000 on a performance share…
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19 May
Retailers urge Reeves to reinstate VAT-free shopping
Retailers are urging chancellor Rachel Reeves to reinstate tax-free shopping for tourists as US escalating tariffs continue to cause disrupture, The Times has revealed. In a joint letter to the chancellor, seen by The Times, four major trade bodies — the British Retail Consortium, the British Beauty Council, Walpole and…
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16 May
Landsec to invest £1bn in its retail estate amid strong FY25
Property group Landsec has announced plans to increase its investment in its retail estate by £1bn amid strong FY25 performance. The company’s retail portfolio delivered 5.1% LFL net rental income growth for the year ended 31 March 2025, with occupancy up 110bps to 96.6%, £39m of lettings signed or in…
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16 May
Holland and Barrett FY revenues rise by 10% to £884m
Holland and Barrett has seen revenues rise by 10% to £884.5m in what has been a “landmark year” for the group. In the financial year ended 30 September 2024, gross profit for the health retailer totalled £524.2m, up from the £475.7m reported in FY23. The retailer credited its performance to…
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16 May
Next suffers shareholder rebellion over pay transparency
Next’s shareholders have pushed back against what some deemed as a lack of transparency over its staff pay after more than a fifth backed a resolution calling for more information. The vote at the retailers AGM yesterday (Thursday 15 May) saw 26.9% of shareholder votes in support of a resolution…
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16 May
Retail Trust to offer free training on how to deal with abuse at work
The Retail Trust is set to offer UK shop workers and delivery drivers free training on how to handle abuse and violence at work next month. The charity will be running three online sessions to help retail staff deal with the “soaring levels” of antisocial and threatening behaviour. Attendees will…
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15 May
Today’s news in brief-15/5/25
B&M has appointed former Tesco executive Tjeerd Jegen as its new CEO, effective 16 June 2025. Jegen brings 25 years of retail experience from companies including Ahold Delhaize and Woolworths. Chair Tiffany Hall praised his strategic insight and customer-centric approach. Despite a 3.1% drop in UK like-for-like sales to £4.5bn…
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15 May
B&M appoints ex-Tesco exec as new CEO
B&M has announced the appointment of Tjeerd Jegen as its new chief executive officer. The value retailer revealed that Jegen will take over from current interim CEO Mike Schmidt, on 16 June 2025. Jegen joins the company having worked in leadership roles at Ahold Delhaize, Metro, Tesco, Woolworths, HEMA and…
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15 May
Watches of Switzerland FY revenues hit £1.65bn
Watches of Switzerland has reported an 8% increase in its group revenues to £1.65bn for the 52 weeks to 27 April 2025, after the group saw significant performance improvement in H2, with revenues up 12% to £867m. Meanwhile, in the UK, revenues were up 2% to £866m, while its US…
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